Thursday, December 16, 2010

Good Morning friends! Before we all get busy with the holidays, I wanted to thank you for your overwhelming support for our Owl Lover 2011 Calendar by giving away the set of two Iittala Taika coffee mugs. I posted about the calendar just over a month ago here and am so happy to report that we had a terrific response - over 50,000 downloads!! The calendar has been featured on many renowned blogs including decor8, Poppytalk, How About Orange and Pikaland. Thank you all! I hope you enjoy your visits to My Owl Barn because I love reading all of your comments and emails that encourage me, and mean the world to me.

I picked these stunning Iittala mugs for the giveaway as I think these are perfect to enjoy hot cocoa with your better half during these chilly nights! I hope you like them as much as I do and enjoy them forever.

Katherine Harvey makes bird sculptures inspired by the birds in the wild using only black wire. Artist shares: "I create wire sculptural birds with the use of steel binding wire. I do not use any solder or adhesive I simply bind the wire around itself. I feel this is what gives my work its unique character." Her work is sold through craft fairs and art galleries including Visual.

Dilyara Nassyrova also known as Dilkabear is an illustrator and painter currently living in Italy. Her work has published in major magazines and in several books. In her paintings her characters are delicate and beautiful, and often accompanied by pet friends in dreamy landscapes. Her limited edition prints are available on Etsy, where she has been adding lots of stunning jewlery pieces lately.

Origami Club is a wonderful website with tonnes of Origami tutorials categorized from easy to advanced level. Every tutorial has a comprehensive diagram and an animation to guide through every fold. I found this fun owl origami tutorial which I think can be used as a placecard, decorating a gift or making an ornament. You can print out the instructions and also some patterned paper to make you own fun origami.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

May Ann Licudine is a very talented artist based in La Union, Philippines. She made this custom owl toy for a client who wanted something inspired by The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch. This owl is a stunning piece which stand 8 inches tall with all around painting.

A little story behind the title - The Midnight Garden of Great Owl "At the midnight time, Great Owl wakes up and transforms his feathery chest into his mysterious garden. He allows any innocent creatures to live in his garden. He always watches over his own garden and good friends from evils and demons. When the sunrise starts, Great Owl goes back to his feathery look and falls asleep for regaining his strength." I think it's an appropriate and a beautiful interpretation of this genius piece. She welcomes commissions and can be contacted through her website.

The Little Otsu Living Things Series is collection of mini art books in which indie artists explore one idea based around the theme of living things. The first book of the series is by Lizzy Stewart called "A Guide to Eastern European Wildlife" that consists of 16 pages of amazing and beautiful drawings including birds in flight and an owl on a perch. It's available to purchase here.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Le Petit Atelier de Paris and Iris de Mouy collaborated and have created a limited edition collection of Christmas decorations. These handmade and hand-drawn porcelain owls are just too sweet for words. I couldn't find if they are sold anywhere online. It seems they are only available at Le Bon Marché in Paris.

Torie Jayne made this Winter Woodland Christmas cake and Winter Woodland gingerbread bird house for Christmas Yule-Blog Bake contest. Isn't the detailing on the cake just amazing? I love everything about the gingerbread house - the snowed roof, acorns, tiny birds and the owl. Torie has also shared recipes of both her pieces on her blog and made the pattern of the gingerbread bird house available for download.

Bridget Beth's beautiful 8x10 prints of her original watercolor paintings. Check out her other amazing prints in her shop.

I would like to share this quote from the artist from her profile-"I love to create. Seeing the spirit explode in color and light via paint, the garden, flavors or singing my heart out is a joy to my soul."

Monday, December 13, 2010

I just spotted these terrarium kits at KG + AB by Katherine Grandey and Andy Byers. There are five woodland themed kits including owl, fawn, mushrooms, squirrel and bird. Each kit contains a porcelain object, moss, a glass dome and wooden base, and will make a wonderful gift. For delivery before Christmas make sure you order by December 17th.